Rhaenys

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Rhaenys Targaryen
Alias(es)	“Queen Who Never Was” 41
Gender	Female
Affiliation	House Targaryen; House Velaryon
Occupation/Role	Targaryen princess; dragonrider; mother of Laena and Laenor
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background / History

Rhaenys is the daughter of Prince Aemon Targaryen and the wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon. Her inheritance was passed over in favor of Baelon Targaryen because she was a woman, a grievance she openly raises when Corlys challenges Daemon Blackfyre’s claimed descent from Aemon 6.

While riding her dragon Meleys near Dragonstone, Rhaenys finds Daemon Blackfyre feverish and unconscious among seaside rocks, then later rescues him from the sea. His silver hair, violet eyes, knowledge of High Valyrian, and black three-headed dragon brand remind her strongly of her father 3. She brings him to Dragonstone and declares him Aemon’s bastard son and her brother, placing herself between him and Baelon’s scrutiny 4 5.

Corlys distrusts Daemon and argues that his dragon brand was forged, but Rhaenys repeatedly defends him. She regards Meleys’s acceptance of him, his apparent bloodline, and his connection to dragons as proof that he is family 6 10. After Glutton chooses Daemon as its rider, she supports Baelon’s decision to keep him on Dragonstone rather than surrender him to the King’s justice 10.

Rhaenys later welcomes Daemon after the Stepstones campaign, introduces him to Laena and Laenor as their uncle, and rejoices when he is taken to King’s Landing to meet Jaehaerys 12. She remains a consistent source of support following his legitimization, promising that he can seek her help at High Tide whenever needed 20.

During visits to Runestone and High Tide, Rhaenys teases Daemon about marriage while warning him not to repeat Daemon Targaryen’s unhappy union with Rhea Royce. She jokingly proposes a future match with her daughter Laena, unaware that the suggestion visibly upsets Gael 27. By Daemon’s later visit to Tidehead Island, she remains warmly protective of him despite Corlys’s continued preoccupation with commerce and construction 41.

Appearance

Rhaenys has black hair and pale violet eyes, visibly marking her Valyrian heritage. In later years, the fine lines around her eyes are described as deepening the intensity of her gaze 3 41.

• Often wears House Velaryon sea-green or sea-blue clothing bearing the Targaryen three-headed dragon sigil 27 41.
• Is associated with dragonbreath flowers, including flowers worn in her hair and embroidered on her skirts 10 12.
• Is described as beautiful, with a forceful presence that becomes especially pronounced when defending her family 3 5.

Personality

Rhaenys is fiercely protective, decisive, and unwilling to yield when she believes someone is being treated unjustly. She publicly defies Baelon and Corlys to defend Daemon’s place in the family, treating his alleged descent from Aemon as a matter of personal as well as dynastic importance 4 6.

She is proud of female Targaryens and rejects the idea that sex weakens a dragonlord’s claim or capability. When Jaehaerys reacts with disappointment to Rhaenyra’s birth, Rhaenys answers that the dragons of Valyria “have never been crippled by their sex” 17.

Her strong will also shapes her marriage. She resents Corlys for prioritizing political and commercial ambitions over her and their children, though she still takes pride in the prosperity he has created on Tidehead Island 6 12 41. Around Daemon and her children, she is affectionate, teasing, and openly warm 12 20 41 43.

Abilities & Skills

Dragonriding

Rhaenys is the rider of Meleys, the scarlet “Red Queen.” She handles Meleys confidently in dangerous conditions and uses the dragon to reach and rescue Daemon from the sea 3.

• Lands Meleys in a secluded, guarded Dragonstone courtyard to avoid attracting attention 4.
• Her bond with Meleys is strong enough for the dragon to react to her distress and show unusual tolerance toward Daemon 3.
• She considers herself and Meleys capable combatants and wishes to have joined the Stepstones campaign 12.
• Compares Gael’s taming of Dreamfyre to her own more difficult experience taming Meleys 42.

Political Resolve

Rhaenys is willing to confront powerful relatives and nobles directly, particularly when bloodline, succession, or her family’s safety is at stake.

• Asserts Daemon’s right to recognition before Baelon, citing his appearance, dragon mark, High Valyrian, and Meleys’s acceptance 4 5.
• Challenges Corlys’s suspicion of Daemon and condemns the idea of protecting her children’s inheritance through violence against an innocent boy 10.
• Defends the strength of female Targaryens following Rhaenyra’s birth 17.

Equipment / Mounts

• Meleys — Scarlet dragon known as the Red Queen; Rhaenys’s mount and closest source of military power 3 4.
• Dragon-sigil pouch — A cloth pouch embroidered by Rhaenys, given to Daemon so that he can write for her help if he is threatened 20.

Relationships

• Prince Aemon Targaryen — Father; Daemon’s resemblance to Aemon drives Rhaenys’s belief that he is her father’s surviving bastard son 3 5.
• Corlys Velaryon — Husband; their relationship is strained by Corlys’s suspicion of Daemon and his repeated prioritization of business and voyages over family 6 12 27 41 43.
• Laena Velaryon — Daughter; Rhaenys describes her as brave, dragon-minded, and similar to herself 12.
• Laenor Velaryon — Son; a quieter child who draws dragons and collects shells 12.
• Daemon Blackfyre Targaryen — Acknowledged brother; she rescues, shelters, and persistently protects him, treating him as Aemon’s son regardless of questions surrounding his origin 3 6 10 20.
• Baelon Targaryen — Uncle; their relationship becomes tense when Rhaenys challenges his authority over Daemon’s fate, though he ultimately accepts Daemon into the family 4 6 12.
• Gael Targaryen — Aunt; Rhaenys teases Gael over her closeness with Daemon and recognizes her achievement in claiming Dreamfyre 41 43.
• Rhaenyra Targaryen — Cousin; Rhaenys warmly welcomes her birth and publicly defends the strength of female Targaryens 17.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rescue and Recognition of Daemon

Rhaenys’s rescue of Daemon from the sea begins his entry into the Targaryen family. Her recognition of Aemon’s features in him and her refusal to abandon him set the conflict over his lineage and status in motion 3 6.

Dragonstone Succession Dispute

She opposes Corlys’s efforts to isolate Daemon from dragons and frames his treatment as another attempt to deny Aemon’s bloodline for the sake of succession. Her intervention helps secure Daemon’s continued residence on Dragonstone after Glutton claims him 6 10.

Family at High Tide

As Daemon becomes accepted by the royal family, Rhaenys integrates him into her own household, introducing him to Laena and Laenor and maintaining High Tide as a refuge he may return to 12 20 41.

Velaryon Marriage Tensions

Rhaenys’s bluntness and Corlys’s evasiveness expose the growing strain in their marriage. Even while proud of Tidehead Island’s prosperity, she resents being neglected for Corlys’s commercial pursuits 41 43.